Chely Wright Ain’t No ‘Single White Female’…And, She’s Coming To PrideFest

Out C/W star Chely Wright to perform at Seattle PrideFest on Sunday, June 29, 2014.

She really isn’t single. She is a married lady now. Proud & Out country/western star Chely Wright will be performing with fellow out c/w star Steve Grand at the PrideFest Closing Concert on Pride Sunday at the Seattle Center with gates opening at 7:15 pm. This is a TICKETED event; grab them HERE!

SGS sat down (well, digitally) with Chely Wright to ask her a few questions…

(Psssst….we did the same with Steve Grand; that’s coming soon!)

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ED: What does it mean to you to be an “Out and Proud” Country music star?
CW: Well, to me personally, it means everything.  Being “sort of out” to a few friends and a couple of family members was just not enough.  Not enough on a personal level and not enough on an advocacy level.  One can’t be a part of the equality movement from the sidelines.

ED: Do you think it is harder to be out as a Country artist compared to a Rock or Pop artist?
CW: Interesting question.  I think being the “first” of anything is a challenge, so my experience in coming out as the first commercial country music artist has certainly been uncharted territory, to say the least.  But you know, I had a journalist say to me a few months ago that “it’s so much easier for pop stars… there are a bunch of “out” pop stars.”  I disagreed with this journalist. Although there are more OUT pop stars than in Country Music, when you think about it… based on the number of pop artists around the world, there aren’t that many.  Elton, Melissa, Adam Lambert, Ricky Martin and a few more in recent years, right?  I wouldn’t call that a LOT of Out pop artists.  I think it’s hard for ANYONE, in any industry or line of work, to come out.  It’s the way you make your living and the stakes are as high for coming out– whether you’re a Country Music artists, a Pop Music artist, an accountant or a high school math teacher.

ED: Which Pride event has been your favorite and why?
CW: I could never pick a favorite.  Honestly, I couldn’t begin to quantize the experience of each show and event.

ED: June 16th marks 15 years since you performed ‘Single White Female’ on Another World. Would you do it again now?
CW: Does it really? Ha!  Of course I would.

ED: Are you working on any new material? Will we hear it when you perform in Seattle?
CW: I am.  I am going to make a new record this year.  Slated to be out in 2015.

ED: If you could perform with any musician?
CW: Off the top of my head, David Gray.

ED: Do you have a message you would like to put out there for LGBTQ youth?
CW: The thing I’d say to all LGBT youth:  Don’t allow anyone to tell you that you cannot have the faith practice what you seek.  And, in regards to coming out, do it when YOU feel safe and able.

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Seattle Gay Scene will be giving away a pair of tickets to the Chely Wright/Steve Grand Concert at PrideFest over on our Facebook Page! Go like it and check back periodically!

Info on the concert:

Our PrideFest Closing Concert on June 29 with Steve Grand and Chely Wright is a soft landing for your crazy pride weekend. 100% of net proceeds will benefit marriage equality non-profits. Join us on the sprawling lawns of the Mural Amphitheatre for a night of amazing music, drinks, food, and Pride!

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
TICKETS $25 ADVANCE ($30 AT GATES) AT BROWNPAPERTICKETS.COM

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1423403261254034

EVENT INFO:
Location: Mural Amphitheatre, Seattle Center
Time/Date: Sunday, June 29
Gates at 7:15pm
Steve Grand at 7:30pm
Chely Wright at 8:30pm
Concert ends no later than 9:30pm
Available: Beer Garden (21+), Food, Merchandise, All Ages General Admission

VIP ACCESS AVAILABLE
VIP meet-and-greet for pass holders.
GET (1) ticket and (1) backstage pass for $60 For Chely and $75 for Steve*
CHOOSE ARTIST:
STEVE GRAND
CHELY WRIGHT

*First set of Steve Grand Backstage VIP passes sold out. What few remain are at a premium!